Northwest Specialty Hospital opened its 11th and 12th operating rooms this week, expanding surgical capacity at the Post Falls medical facility.

“These two new operating rooms allow us to improve both physician access and patient access,” Mallory McLeod, executive director of surgical services, says in a press release. “As our volume continues to grow, having more space gives surgeons the ability to get patients scheduled and treated more quickly.”

According to the release, the expanded access can reduce delays and allow patients to receive surgery weeks or even months sooner.

The new operating rooms are suited to handle a wide range of procedures, including orthopedic, spine, and minimally-invasive surgeries. The rooms are also large enough to accommodate robotic-assisted procedures.

“We wanted to ensure we could meet both our current and future surgical needs,” McLeod says. “The rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art laparoscopic and arthroscopic technology and can be used dual purpose for any open procedure that is needed.”

The expansion also included enhancements to the hospital’s sterile processing department and an expansion to equipment storage, ensuring that support services can keep pace with increased surgical volume.

“Our hospital was originally a four-operating-room facility,” McLeod says. “The improvements allow us to keep up with the number of patients we serve.”

Northwest Specialty Hospital is located at 1593 E. Polston, in Post Falls.